Murder charge for Friday shooting suspect

Murder charges have been filed against a man arrested Friday night for a shooting near Hotchkiss Park.

The Santa Monica Police Department announced Tuesday that Christopher Charles Davis, 46, homeless, has been charged with murder, attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Davis is being held in the custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office on $2 million bail and was arraigned Tuesday afternoon at Airport Courthouse.

According to SMPD, the department received multiple calls at about 6:28 p.m. on Friday, August 4 reporting a shooting near Main Street and Strand Ave.

“As officers arrived on scene, they located a male victim lying on the ground suffering from multiple gunshot wounds,” said Lieutenant Saul Rodriguez in a statement. “The victim was treated at the scene by Santa Monica Fire Department Paramedics and transported to a local hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, the victim succumbed to his injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital.”

Officers located Davis near 3rd Street and Hollister Ave.

“The suspect was holding a handgun and pointed the weapon at officers,” said Rodriguez. “Additional officers arrived and confronted the suspect, which led to an exchange of gunfire. The suspect was struck and taken into custody. The suspect was treated at the scene by Santa Monica Fire Department Paramedics and transported to a local hospital for treatment.”

The suspect was subsequently identified as Davis.

Rodriguez the investigation is twofold and ongoing. In addition to an SMPD investigation, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Officer-Involved-Shooting Team, is conducting an independent review.